Ford has increased its car sales and share in both January and February this year.

Ford's secured 14.5 per cent of the February market, up 2.6 percentage points compared with February 2011, while Ford commercial vehicles (CVs) maintained overall leadership of the CV market, according to the official sales figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT):

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain managing director, said: "Ford’s car range has started 2012 with a terrific performance that extends our UK lead in total car sales, and provides a good indicator for March, when sales are boosted significantly by the registration plate change.

“Our best-ever range of vehicles will grow even further thanks to a series of new launches this year, flagged up by a glittering display on the Ford stand at this week's Geneva Motor Show. The list of upcoming models includes the new Ford B-MAX, the new Ford Kuga, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost Ford Focus, and the new Fiesta and Focus ST models."

The official figures released by the SMMT today show that total car sales last month were down 2.5 per cent to 61,868 units, compared with February 2011. Ford car sales of 8,957 were up 18.8 per cent, from 7,542 in February 2011.

Ford's retail car market share for the year to date (end February) is 13.1 per cent, 1.9 percentage points up from the same period in 2011. For this same period, Ford increased its retail car sales lead over its nearest rival by 120 per cent, from 1,986 to 4,363, and it increased its total car sales lead more than three-fold, from 2,076 to 9,806.

Ford Focus was the UK best seller in February, taking 6.0 per cent of the total car market, up from 3.9 per cent in February 2011. Ford Fiesta is the UK best seller for the year to date; its sales have increased from 8,248 to 10,723, compared with the same period in 2011.